Filipino comedian Vice Ganda and singer Aiza Seguerra, who are both openly gay, criticized Pacquiao for his comments, calling him a “hypocrite” and a “false prophet.”

Local gay rights political group Ladlad also waded into the row, saying Pacquiao’s view “betrays a shallow understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity” and that his failure to understand gay rights issues would leave the boxer in the dark ages “when the cavemen ruled and the numbskulls roamed the Earth.”

Social media users also voiced their anger at Pacquiao's comments.

Pacquiao, hear the deafening silence on the day of your fight. May it remind you that the "animals" you refer to cheered the loudest for you

Pacquiao, who is running for a seat in the Philippines senate in May's elections, has often spoken of his Christian faith, while many Filipinos hold similar views on gay rights because of their religion.

While some Christian followers gave their support to Pacquiao, his former boxing rival Floyd Mayweather took aim at him, saying “we should let people live their lives the way they want.”